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“But universal health care is an aspiration, not a destination. All countries must continuously consider the depth and scope of coverage that is politically achievable and fiscally feasible…” — Dr. Danielle Martin (Toronto) et al., The Lancet, April 28-May 4, 2018, page 1718. This recent, very scholarly review article of the Canadian healthcare system nonetheless […]

I was pleased to read the column by Jacinda Mack and Loretta Williams in which they acknowledge the vital role minerals and metals will play in the transition to a low carbon economy. B.C. products like metallurgical coal, copper and molybdenum are all critical to the supply of renewable energy technologies and zero-emission vehicles. B.C. […]

For a number of years, I lived in Vancouver. I loved it. Diverse, and forward-looking, Vancouver embodies so much about what makes Canada great. My feelings about Vancouver are shared by countless Albertans who have deep roots in B.C. through family, friends and business. So when Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson says that Alberta’s energy industry […]

VICTORIA — The long weekend saw another outbreak of hostilities between the country’s two New Democratic Party governments over the proposed expansion of the Trans Mountain pipeline. It began innocently with B.C. NDP Premier John Horgan telling reporters, in advance of Tuesday’s gathering of the western premiers in Yellowknife, that he was looking forward to […]

The client strode into George Lee’s office believing the veteran immigration lawyer would automatically notarize the federal government document that would confirm the client was the legal “custodian” of 10 international students who are minors. But Lee wouldn’t approve the client’s business plan. The Burnaby immigration specialist knows the intense pressure and loneliness experienced by […]

The Vancouver Sun and the Globe and Mail have been highly critical of securities regulators for collecting only a small fraction of the massive amount of fines they impose on securities offenders. The Globe has also criticized regulators for what it views as a disturbingly large number of offenders who ignore their fines and suspensions […]

My job means I spend less time in Vancouver than I’d like, but wherever I go I never miss the chance to talk up my hometown and the rest of B.C. We’ve got great sports teams, an internationally recognized food scene, an incredibly inclusive spirit, beautiful beaches, and everyone’s favourite outdoor attraction, the Grouse Grind. […]

B.C.’s justice minister and attorney general is breaching the Constitution and ignoring two Supreme Court of Canada rulings aimed at cutting the number of First Nations people behind bars, claims a court challenge to the policy. Prosecutors, however, have tried to derail the application for a stay of proceedings by offender Barry Dick over the […]

Re: Vancouverites mixed on giving vote to permanent residents, poll finds, May 12 I am surprised to learn that there are “slightly” more residents in Vancouver who support giving permanent residents the right to vote in a civic election. Although I was not one of the respondents polled by Research Co., I want to voice my […]

Federal Finance Minister Bill Morneau’s announcement this week that Ottawa would indemnify Kinder Morgan against losses arising from delays in construction of the Trans Mountain Pipeline expansion project that are “politically motivated” moved the needle a little. It prompted B.C. Premier John Horgan to switch his animus for “Texas boardrooms” to a “Toronto-based finance minister,” […]

If a diluted bitumen spill happens on Canada’s West Coast, is it possible to clean it up? Yes, it is. We know that because we have already successfully responded to a diluted bitumen spill in these waters. It’s what we continue to train and prepare for every day. In 2007, Western Canada Marine Response Corp. […]

Lower parent fees well underway. Next priorities — improve educator wages, more licensed spaces. May is Child Care Month in B.C. This year, we have something big to celebrate — a government commitment to high quality, affordable child care for all who choose it and a budget and a plan to start implementation. With the […]

Most B.C. residents support the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion, but they appear far less raucous than the protesters who are risking arrest at the pipeline’s Burnaby terminus. B.C. Premier John Horgan, who campaigned against the expansion in last year’s election, appears to be siding with the resistance by slow-walking the approval process and throwing sand […]

Late last year B.C.’s chief electoral officer, Keith Archer, learned that if he wanted a second term as the independent watchdog on elections, he would need to reapply for the job and take his chances alongside other prospective candidates.

Bulls of the Week It was an enormously bullish week for the sports betting industry in the United States, where Monday’s Supreme Court ruling caused a seismic shift everywhere outside of Nevada. Within weeks, states such as New Jersey — which won the judgement — will begin accepting sports bets. By year’s end, almost half […]

VICTORIA — Premier John Horgan stood in the legislature Thursday to admit what had been readily apparent for several days, that his New Democrats have failed to live up to their own standards on preserving records, particularly emails. “I am disappointed that we are not always meeting that standard,” said Horgan in facing up to multiple […]

Late last week the federal government told a B.C. court that it wouldn’t oppose a First Nations application to suspend construction of the Site C dam while critical, unresolved treaty-rights issues are before the courts. The two First Nations behind the legal challenge have now called on the provincial government to follow suit, as have […]

Anti-pipeline activism has turned contentious, with emotions flaring and politicians scrambling. To be sure, pipeline projects put a disproportionate burden on certain First Nations and municipalities. But from a national interest, economic, humanitarian and even environmental standpoint, there is a strong case for Canadian pipelines. This includes establishing a natural-gas export corridor from Prince George […]

There is a good reason some of the 149 children of convicted polygamist Winston Blackmore took to online fundraising and t-shirt sales to raise money for his legal fees. Their father has squandered their inheritance over the past two decades. The children’s efforts use the somewhat witty, but definitely politically incorrect #BlackmoreLivesMatter. So far, the […]

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